BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Cody Hawkins of the Colorado Buffaloes scrambles and is tackled by Jake Knott and Leonard Johnson of the Iowa State Cyclones at Folsom Field on November 13, 2010 in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado defeated Iowa State 34-14. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

(Eds: Updates.) By LUKE MEREDITH AP Sports Writer Iowa State knows it can rely on Jake Knott and A.J. Klein, one of the best linebacking tandems in the nation.
It's the other nine defensive starters who will determine just how far the Cyclones go in 2012.
Iowa State has plenty of depth on a defense that got better as last season wore on. But where all those pieces fit around Knott and Klein - first-team All-Big 12 picks who combined for 231 tackles in 2011 - needs to be sorted out with the Cyclones set to open the season Saturday against Tulsa.
''Improved, in a single word,'' Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads said when asked to assess his defense. ''You just don't know where you're at until you start lining up against other folks.''
That might not be apparent for weeks.
Iowa State (6-7 in 2011) is replacing six starters from a defense that allowed 29.4 points a game last season. Though there are some familiar names in line for starting jobs, the Cyclones will be asking many of them ...

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